Developers, retailers clash over Romanian prospects at ICSC retail conference

Developers and retailers at the International Council of Shopping Centers Romanian Retail Real Estate Conference clashed over how best to respond to the alarming downturn in the country's economic fortunes. Despite a consensus to work together to boost footfall and dwell time, strong disagreement emerged on how this could be achieved. Retailers want more transparency in rental, service and marketing charges levied by shopping centre management, and the wider adoption of turnover rents. Developers say retailers must provide reliable sales reporting; without this, centre management cannot agree to turnover rents. Developers call for more professionalism, better-trained sales staff and well-supplied collections at competitive prices. Retailers say that these all translate into costs they cannot currently afford.